The du Social Media Awards judging panel has selected the shortlisted nine finalists for the Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Social Responsibility Award, Best Digital Video Content Award,and Best Blog /Blogger Award categories. The shortlisted finalists are eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, which will be voted for by the public. Details of all the winners will be declared during the closing ceremony of the du National day campaign at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi on 28 November, in the presence of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open from 22 – 26 November, and can be done by visiting www.du.ae/Awards.

Nominated for the Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Social Responsibility Award are:
- Hasan Al Mazrouie, on a campaign urging UAE residents to raise a flag over every home.
- Sultan Al Weshahi, ‘Soqya Volunteerism programme’ a campaign for voluntary work in Ramadan.
- Ayesha Saeed Hareb, for her entry titled ‘The Social Bandage’.

Nominated for the Best Digital Video Content Award are:
- Murshed Mohamed, for his entry titled ’Ya Mereis’
- Jasim Mohamed, for developing Dubai Expo 2020 song video
- Abdullah Bader Al Awadi , for his entry titled ’Balaleet’

Nominated for the Best Blog | Blogger Award are:
- Abdullah Al Abdooli, for his venture snyar.net
- Shaikha Al Shamsi, for her venture ‘The Book Shelter’
- Peter Waters, for his venture ‘abudhabidailyphotograph.blogspot.com’

“The nature of the submissions that we received for the du Social Media Awards reflects the UAE’s people high levels of creativity and innovation, and the willingness of each and every one of the nation’s residents to use social media to positively impact our community,” said Ahmad Bin Byat, Chairman, du. “We would like to thank the judging panel for volunteering, and for devoting their expertise to evaluate the submissions, and wish good luck to all of the shortlisted candidates.”

The judging panel, comprising Sami Al Riyami, Editor-in-Chief, Emarat Al Youm; Maryam Bin Fahad, Executive Director, Dubai Press Club; Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand and Communications, du, and Abdulrahman Al Harthi, Executive Director of Radio, Abu Dhabi Media Company, and Vice Chairman, Union of Printing and Publishing, met on 21 November at du’s offices in Dubai Media City, to select the shortlisted candidates. The session was moderated by Abdulatif Al Sayegh, CEO, Al Sayegh Media.

Also attending the panel meeting were members of the du’s National Day campaign working team, including Balqees Zainal, a key member of the du social media team ; Humaida Al Khalsan from du’s Corporate Social Responsibility team ,and Ibrahim Al Mayahi from du’s Marketing Communication.

The event will also include a Forum, which will discuss the sustainable impact of social media channels, with three notable speakers who are prominent members of Emirati society. They are Noura Al Kaabi, member of the UAE National Council and CEO of twofour54; Mohammad and Rashid Parham Al Awadhi, owners of Wild Peeta; Mohammed Saeed Harib, Freej animator and Chairman of Lammtara, and Balqees Zainal, a key member of the social media team in du.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Nov 22, 2012